NEW MUSIC REVIEWS

AUGUST CD SPINS

by Staff

ALKALINE TRIO

Crimson

(Label)

Alkaline Trio’s latest album, Crimson takes the group back to the sound of their earlier CDs.

With many fans very disappointed with the sonic results of this Chicago band’s last release, Good Mourning, there should be a lot of happy A.T. fans now, given the change that comes with Crimson.

With amazing talent, Alkaline Trio combines heavy rock with haunting melodic counterparts, balancing electric guitar with soft piano.

Crimson is full of darkly beautiful songs such as, “Burn”, “Dethbed”, and “Settle for Satin”... just to name a few.

With vivid lyrics, these songs, as well as the others on this album, create a very deep mood.

This is not just a CD you can listen to as background music or absentmindedly. This is an album that immediately draws your undivided attention from the first haunting piano chord.

As someone who has followed the band for a while and come to enjoy much of their music, I strongly recommend Crimson to fans of the old school Alkaline Trio sound.

– Sarah Lounges

STRYPER

Reborn

(Big 3 Records)

The yellow and black attack is back!

Stryper, the ‘80s Christian metal band from Orange County, California who are known for spreading the message of spirituality through catchy guitar riffs, melodic harmonies, and heavy pounding drums have officially been Reborn with the advent of a brand new studio album.

Reborn is the title of the knew Stryper CD which will hit the streets on August 16th.

The title track will impact rock radio and will surprise you with a dark edge, raw guitar riffs and catchy lyrics.

This album is Stryper’s first studio album since the release of Against the Law 15 years ago.

Along with a new record label and a new lease on life, the founding members – Michael and Robert Sweet, along with guitarist Oz Fox – have a new bandmate. Completing the trademark Stryper harmonies is newcomer Tracy Ferrie, stepping in on bass guitar and backing vocals.

By just listening to all eleven tracks, one would have never known that Timothy Gaines left the group. Ferrie fills the void that well.

If you are a die-hard Stryper fan with a record collection that includes past albums like, Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil, and In God We Trust, you will be impressed with the Stryper signature style and message.

Lead vocalist Michael Sweet still can belt out the lyrics and in range, just like he did in the past.

Guitarist Oz Fox holds down that ‘80s guitar riff with a little grunge slipped into the mix.

The visual time keeper, Robert Sweet remains as consistent as ever with his pounding double kick drum and lighting fast accents.

Track one off the new album, “Open Your Eyes”, sets the tone and style of the album. Dark, raw, but spiritual lyrics with an inspirational message.

One highlights to the ears of this old Stryper fan were “When Did I See You Cry?”, which showcases Robert Sweet’s fast kick drum action along with a little grungy flavored guitar work from Fox. Into the song you will hear the Stryper trademark harmony.

Other favored numbers include: “Passion” and “10,000 Years”. The former is a power ballad with a good balance of instrumentation and lyric content. The latter is a clever remake of the old spiritual, “Amazing Grace”, arranged and delivered in true Stryper style.

The final track is a remix of “In God We Trust”. Expect more of a raw guitar sound backed with a good balance of harmonies just like the original.

As for the remaining tracks, I will leave you in suspense and hope you take the time to discover them for yourself.

If you followed Stryper since 1984, this is an all new chapter in their career of spreading the spiritual message.

Stryper truly is Reborn.

– Mike “Mullet Man” Summers

MEM SHANNON

I’m From Phunkville

(Northern Blues)

Although Mem Shannon’s new record company is based in Toronto, his debut for Northern Blues is pure New Orleans blues.

This is a collection of blues tunes laced with some mighty tasty funk from this Crescent City bluesman.

Ever since I discovered Mem’s 2002 record Memphis in the Morning (Shanachie), I’ve gone out of my way to see Mem play live. His shows always reconnect me with the funky side of the blues.

Whether he’s playing Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco or Chicago’s House of Blues or Kingston Mines, Mem’s live shows offer heavy doses of funky blues and I’m From Phunkville delivers the same.

Mem’s got a knack for writing short songs that will liven up any party, whether that’s on the 19th hole or a small intimate club.

“Swing Tiger Swing” is a salute Tiger Woods and the somber and introspective “In a Perfect World” is the perfect soundtrack for a romantic evening with one who’s captured your heart.

I hope Mem adds the new songs – “I’ll Kiss A Pitbull” and “We Going” – to his live set lists as he’s on the road more often than not this summer.

For over 25 years as a blues listener, I’ve shied away from funk, due to its complexity, but since discovering Mem Shannon, that’s changed. Right on, Mem, let's funk it up!

– Eric Steiner

FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE

Out Of State Plates

(Virgin)

You can always count on Fountains of Wayne to be…well… Fountains of Wayne.

The kings of power pop should have attained success many moons ago, when their flawless self-titled debut was released on James Iha’s label, Scratchie Records.

Then their second record, Utopia Parkway was even better and even made Entertainment Weekly’s top ten list that year (and mine as well).

Ironically, their weakest effort was the one that earned them mainstream success mostly on the strength of its killer lead single, “Stacy’s Mom,” made even more famous by the tacky “porn-light” video that accompanied it.

It’s not that FOW had sold out, but they did lose something by overindulging.

The best that can be said about this particular endeavor is that will attract new fans to some of their older material, prompting them to come to the epiphany that these guys have been crafting their art for nearly a decade, and doing it incredibly well since the beginning (“California Sex Lawyer” still holds up after six years).

Sore thumbs include the Ricky Nelson-homage “Today’s Teardrops” and a cover of ELO’s “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” both tacked on and gratuitous.

Travis did “Baby One More Time” long before FOW touched it, and their version included here is sorely mediocre.

The Christmas songs are a novelty at best and also could have been left back in the stacks of DAT.

This is a case of another double effort that would’ve been better with more trimming, but it’s worth picking up for the discoveries of some lost tunes that may have just been discarded had it not been for their overnight success a couple years back.

Standouts include the new contribution, “The Girl I Can’t Forget,” and the acoustic sonnet “I’ll Do The Driving”.

The latter tugs at the heartstrings in a way that Chris Martin could never accomplish.

The beauty of these tracks is that it displays how FOW has a sense of storytelling and humor while never taking themselves too seriously.

This is a band that has long deserved to climb the charts and proves that pop rock doesn’t always have to pander to the lowest common denominator.

Although their first two records are definitely the place to start, Out-Of-State Plates is an amicable collection worthy of the band’s already solid resume

– James Laczkowski

AJALON

On The Threshold Of Eternity

(Threshing Floor Records)

Ajalon is a power trio of copious talent who hail from the genre of Progressive Rock known as “Cprog” – an abbreviation for “Christian Progressive Rock.”

Their 1996 debut, Light at the End of the Tunnel rose dust off a stagnant music scene and got the masses bustling about their material and consequently waiting for their nine-year return.

Keeping a balance between being sanctimonious and obscure, Ajalon does what many Christian acts can’t pull off - presenting spiritual content that compliments the music and aural message without hitting the listener over the head.

On the Threshold of Eternity begins with the grandiose and epic instrumental “Anthem of the Seventh Day”, that sets the stage for the vastness of this trio’s abilities.

With the main duties going to multi-instrumentalist Randy George, the sound steers clear of sounding pre-programmed, homogenized and void of any human interaction.

Ajalon wisely offered teaser songs to Christian radio stations before this CD’s release.

“Sword of Goliath” has been in heavy rotation for several months and is a very dynamic, poppy number that is anchored by a killer bass line.

Glass Harp member, Phil Keaggy shows up for spectacular guitar and vocal work on “Holy Spirit Fire.” Pristine and intricate mandola and sitar prickle out a fantastic intro.

Keaggy is also featured in an inspired solo backed by the strong rhythm section of Taylor Mesple on piano and Brain Adderbury on drums in the song’s outro.

One of the true icons of the prog music scene, Rick Wakeman (of YES) makes an appearance on “What Kind of Love”.

Inspired by the Columbine tragedy, the tune questions how faith can remain alive in the face of adversity. Beautifully produced to capture the grandeur of song’s power. George and Wakeman showcase their solo capabilities in offset guitar, organ and mini-moog solos.

The title track, is the epic piece prog fans all wish for, and features yet another luminary of the modern prog rock scene.

Neal Morse of Spock’s Beard guests on vocals during this stunning “symphonic prog” piece. With the vocal play of Henderson as the main antagonist and that of Morse’s Holy Father is inspired and stirring.

The full band comes together to deliver a Technicolor soundscape that is uplifting. This mini-opera will please any fan of progressive rock music.

I will keep mum on the hidden track at the end of the CD - but let’s just say it will certainly put you in a good “mood.”

More info: www.ajalon.net

Also checkout: www.theradiantflow.com while you are at it.

– Jon Rice

DREAM THEATRE

Octavarium

(Atlantic)

This CD will be their “controversial” one when it comes to fan loyalty and opinion.

Dream Theater’s Octavarium rocks the boat as they change track in their tried-and-true formula for success. Ballads, epics, and some pop are introduced to this band’s “Shred-Prog” image and they come off smelling like roses.

“The Root Of All Evil,” reaches into the symphonic genre as much of the trademark virtuosity display gives way to trusting the talent and allowing the listener to see beneath the veneer. A simple guitar riff atop ethereal backdrop. In contrast to Mike Portnoy’s signature complex rhythms.

The surprising ballad of the CD is “The Answer Lies Within,” featuring the capable voice of James LaBrie and the uncomplicated piano of Jordan Rudess. Performed with a full orchestra, this tune is honestly uplifting and totally “outside the box” when compared to previous works.

“These Walls” is a powerful track with heavy riffs and aural candy dynamics. The more balanced combo of Petrucci and Rudess is a fantastic improvement on their already trademark sounds.

Courage to address the galvanizing event that effected and shaped the recent world “Sacrificed Sons” gives validity to their sensibility of expressing their point of view of 911.

Starting off with a “sound-design” of audio-bytes from the media, the tune bleeds into a slow burn of realizing the magnitude of the events. LaBrie’s lyrics are tasteful and yet brave enough to ask the question of motivation to the attacks. Rudess’s keyboard backdrop is in full swing here.

The song quickly changes directions and rolls off into a wonderful prog-instrumental section with Petrucci dancing like a whirling dervish atop the support.

The title track is no doubt the CD's masterpiece. Pink Floyd would be proud of the intro to this song as it pays homage to their PF’s prog trailblazing. Rudess’ lapsteel solo is simply breathtaking and not to mention his nod to the caped one from Yes with a Mini-Moog solo and organ.

As in the allusions to the progressive influences in Portnoy’s lyrics of this piece, all can be recognized: Beatles, Kansas, Yes, Pink Floyd, and Genesis.

Octavarium has most definitely created quite an Internet fan storm as they either hate it or love it.

Passion and energy are spent on such things, as craftsmanship, outstanding production, and a desire to discover fresh and eye opening worlds.

More info: www.dreamtheater.net

– Jon Rice

CORNERSTONE

Once Upon Our Yesterdays

(New Music/Escapi)

Once Upon Our Yesterdays is the third release from this Danish/Brit Metal band; it allows Cornerstone to capture all that is good about melodic metal.

Slick production gives this disc a good clean crisp sound that allows each instrument to come through in the mix and play of each other well.

The vocals are delivered smoothly over rolling drums, melodic bass lines, ethereal keyboards and biting guitar riffs.

Cornerstone does have a sound that may be considered somewhat retro. By my ears, their sound reflects the theatrical metal bands of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s which makes sense because all the members of this band were part of that scene.

Cornerstone shows true intelligence and pinpoint accuracy as they touch upon bluesy ballads such as the title track, “Upon Our Yesterdays”, “Scream” and “Some Love Dreams”.

Muted, melodic and a more classic metal sound can be found on tracks such as “Hour of Doom” and “When the Hammer Falls”.

In my opinion Cornerstone is a well oiled, fire breathing metal machine that is driven by a band of skilled musicians.

Veterans of the metal battlefield, these guys show why they have survived. They should display their stripes proudly and this release deserves a purple heart for saving this genre of music.

In the age of playing at top speed with vocals that are barked through the middle of the mix and drowned out by shredding guitars, it is nice to hear the a true metal voice break through and actually sing.

If you are a fan of bands such as Rainbow, Alice Cooper and Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars; you'll love this disc.

For more information go to www.escapi.com

– Mr. Sid

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